Chapter 34: Making Amends or Offering an Apology

Chen Jinlan’s expression was somewhat unnatural, yet she still maintained the stern posture of an elder. "Is Jiang Jingming home?"

"Why are you looking for my husband?" Sang Yu retorted instead of answering.

"That's none of your business. You just need to tell me if he's here or not," Chen Jinlan said.

Sang Yu smiled. "I’m truly sorry, but he isn't."

Chen Jinlan: "Where is he?"

Sang Yu: "I have no idea. At the police station, maybe? You should try checking there."

Chen Jinlan’s face darkened. If she could simply go to the police station, she wouldn't have wasted her time coming here. It was obvious that Sang Yu had no intention of helping them. Sang Yu had already guessed that Jiang Jingming had followed her advice and had Song Jiajia and Lu Hao taken into custody. While their actions might not constitute a major crime, it was enough to keep them locked up for a few days.

"Xiao Yu?" a frail, aged voice called out.

Sang Yu looked up and saw a complete stranger. However, she recognized the girl standing next to the elderly woman—the one who used to follow Song Jiajia around. Sang Yu didn’t respond, instead looking at the old woman with a strange expression.

"Xiao Yu, it’s me. I’m your grandmother."

Grandmother? Lu Hao’s grandmother, presumably.

"Grandmother? Didn't you die a long time ago? How did you come back to life?" Sang Yu asked, feigning shock as she looked at Liu Fenglan.

At these words, Liu Fenglan’s expression froze instantly.

"Xiao Yu, I’m Haozi’s grandmother. We’ve met before. Don’t you remember?"

Sang Yu thought for a moment, then said with an innocent look, "Oh~"

Just as Liu Fenglan thought Sang Yu had remembered, she suddenly heard her say, "I forgot."

The smile that had been blooming on Liu Fenglan’s face stiffened.

"It doesn’t matter. You were young back then; it’s perfectly normal that you don’t remember," Liu Fenglan said.

"So, why did you come looking for me?" Sang Yu asked.

"Well, it’s been many years since we last saw each other. You were almost my granddaughter-in-law, after all. It’s a pity... I’m sorry for what happened to you." Liu Fenglan’s weathered face was filled with guilt, radiating a sense of sincere emotion.

The onlookers nearby were curious.

Sang Yu remained composed. "So, why are you here today? To offer amends or an apology?"

"What?" Liu Fenglan was taken aback.

"Didn't you just say you were sorry to me?"

Lu Ting stepped forward at this moment. "Sang Yu, how can you speak to your elders like that?"

Sang Yu: "Whose elder?"

Lu Ting was left speechless.

"You are all very strange. You show up without saying a word about your business, and then you start criticizing me. I’m sorry, but everyone is quite busy, and I really don’t have the time to chat with you here," Sang Yu said, her voice dripping with artificial politeness.

The onlookers began whispering, casting strange glances at the trio.

"If you have nothing to say, I’m closing the door." As Sang Yu spoke, she moved to shut it.

"Wait a minute!" Chen Jinlan barked.

Sang Yu looked at her.

Chen Jinlan said, "Go and tell Jiang Jingming to release your cousin right now. How can they just go around arresting people like that?"

"My cousin was arrested? What did she do?" Sang Yu asked, pretending to be confused.

"What could she possibly have done? The police are just arresting people indiscriminately. You need to tell Jiang Jingming to let her go."

Sang Yu crossed her arms and looked at Chen Jinlan, her tone calm yet firm. "Aunt, even though you are an elder, you shouldn't speak like that. The police officers act according to rules and regulations; they are here to protect us common folk. By saying they arrest people indiscriminately, aren't you tarnishing their reputation?"

"That's right, how can you say such things?"

"Exactly. Asking Captain Jiang to release someone—what do they take him for? Isn't this intentionally trying to ruin Captain Jiang's reputation?"

"Too vicious."

"Indeed. Maybe that 'cousin' of theirs committed some illegal act and got what she deserved."

"What else could it be? That's exactly what I think."

Voices from the crowd rose in agreement. Everyone around knew Jiang Jingming. Although he was usually cold, he never refused when someone needed help. People admired him, even if they didn't always show it. Chen Jinlan’s expression turned ugly as she listened to the accusations from the crowd.

"Aunt, my uncle is a department director at the factory, after all. Isn't this smearing his reputation? If others find out that you are badmouthing the police in private, I’m afraid it might affect my uncle as well, don't you think?"

This remark hit home, and Chen Jinlan dared not say another word.

Seeing Chen Jinlan’s uselessness, Liu Fenglan rolled her eyes and leaned in. "Xiao Yu..."

"I’m sorry, I don't know you," Sang Yu said, her voice growing colder.

"Sang Yu, how can you be this way? You were almost going to marry my brother," Lu Ting interjected intentionally. She thought this would give her leverage over Sang Yu, but unfortunately for her, Sang Yu wasn't that easy to manipulate.

"And so? What are you trying to imply? Are you trying to make people think there was something improper between me and your brother?" Sang Yu countered.

Lu Ting hadn't expected Sang Yu to state the subtext so directly.

"Why are you quiet? Did I guess right?" Sang Yu watched Lu Ting with a cold gaze.

Lu Ting stammered, "I—I didn't say that."

"Oh, good. Because if you spread rumors about me, I won't let you off so easily," Sang Yu sneered. She looked at the three of them and said, "If there’s nothing else, please leave. I’m quite busy and won't be entertaining you any further."

With that, she shut the door firmly.

Chen Jinlan and Liu Fenglan looked absolutely furious, especially Chen Jinlan, who regretted ever letting her marry Jiang Jingming, given how arrogant she had become.

"What do we do now?" Liu Fenglan looked at Chen Jinlan, disappointed that the woman she had relied on was so useless.

"How should I know?" Chen Jinlan snapped, turning and walking away with long, frustrated strides.

"Bah, utterly useless."

With Chen Jinlan gone, they had even less reason to stay.

Back inside, Sang Yu had just finished fishing out the fried meatballs. She divided them into two boxes—one for Auntie Pang and one for He Xiulan to take home. As soon as Sang Yu stepped out, she ran into Auntie Pang, who was returning from the market.

"Auntie Pang, perfect timing! I just fried some meatballs; have a taste," Sang Yu said.

Even with the box closed, Auntie Pang could smell the rich, savory aroma. "My, that smells divine! My mouth is watering just smelling it. I won't be polite then, thank you!"

"It’s no trouble at all. If you like them, I’ll bring you more next time I make them."

"That would be wonderful! I’ll take you up on that. Are you heading to the hospital?" Auntie Pang asked, noticing the items in Sang Yu’s hands.

"Yes."

"Then I won't hold you up," Auntie Pang said.

"Alright, goodbye, Auntie Pang." Sang Yu waved as she walked away.